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October 01, 2009

Go Fish - One of Napaman’s Top 100 Napa Valley Attractions

If I were reviewing Go Fish on my Twitter account and wanted
to rave about this St. Helena restaurant, here’s what I’d say in fewer than 120
characters: “Go Fish - Every Dish, Major Delish!”

Leave it to Cindy Pawlcyn, who already operated two of the
most successful (and tastiest) restaurants in Napa Valley (Mustards Grill and
Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen) to open a third, specializing in fish.

And not just “fish,” but two kinds of sea meats – raw, as in
sushi and sashimi, and cooked, as in stews, or grilled.

Dining at Go Fish is like going to two different restaurants
under the same roof. Sit at Ken Tominaga’s long sushi bar and eat uber-fresh, delicious seameats, or sit in the colorful
salon and order from a menu filled with sea specialties.

Naysayers opined that a seafood restaurant could never make
it big in Napa Valley “because it’s red-wine country.” Looks like they were
wrong. Mostly because Cindy got it right.

Cindy has ample help around the stoves at Go Fish to insure
consistency. We have dined here since opening week several years ago and the
food and service are better than ever.

And the desserts are memorable meal closers. Napaman.com
previously rated the Roasted Banana-Rum Ice Cream Sandwich
as one of the Top Three Desserts in Napa Valley. Every time I make a
reservation at Go Fish, the first thing that pops into my mind is “I’m
having that roasted banana ice-cream sandwich for dessert!” I cannot disassociate a visit here from this joy-making,
tasty dessert.

As comfortable as the interior is, don’t miss the fabulous
patio, which is open in warmer months (which in Napa Valley, meansmost months).

I often tell first-timers to Napa Valley to put Go Fish on
their “eatinerary.” I hear back from many that they have had such a great
experience that they are putting Go Fish on their “Must Do” list for their next
visit, too. Which tell you everything you need to know about the nature of this
(sea) beast.

Go Fish, 641 Main St., St. Helena, CA 94574. Tel: 707-963-0700.

Check hours, directions and menus at www.gofishrestaurant.net.

Local Color, a regular feature of napaman.com, is
illustrated by Lisa Livoni, one of Napa Valley’s most talented watercolorists.

For reprint permission,
or to obtain copies of this, or any other Local Color image, please contact napaman@me.com.

In many respects, this series could be called Napaman’s Top 100 Napa Valley Attractions.
These are the places I send family and friends, and which I personally endorse
as being the Best of the Best of Napa Valley.